Imagine getting the chance to interview iconic makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic and find out the deets to all your burning questions. Well, ladies, that’s exactly what happened to us recently when he was a special guest at Style Station, City Centre Mirdif.
We chatted with Mario and found out more about his background, his thoughts on Hindash, his fave drugstore beauty brand, *and* when his namesake makeup brand, Makeup By Mario, will be available in Dubai.
Get yourself a Lotus biscuit, comfy blanket, and ready to read some piping hot tea…
On his humble beginnings
One look at Mario and it seems like he has it all. He works on the hottest campaigns, jet-sets first class around the world, and is considered the most iconic makeup artist on the planet. He also has the looks of a model, a bevy of celebrity friends, and seemingly every luxury brand is eager to work with him.
Don’t be fooled though. Mario wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He knows how to work hard and has hustled to get to where he is today. Mario fought for acceptance from his family who didn’t consider makeup artistry to be an admissible career for him to pursue. He shares that he “discovered makeup at the age of 17 and, subsequently, his purpose.” He hid the makeup in a box in the closet but, ultimately, his parents discovered it. He tells Cosmo that “things got so bad for him at one point that he ran away from home.”
Mario says he “channeled his inner strength” and pushed through the adversity surrounding him. His fuel? Self-belief. He knew he would never stop pursuing his passion and goal of being a working makeup artist. He had no choice but to keep going forward.
And that’s exactly what Mario did. Years of grinding paid off. One fateful day a new up-and-coming reality star was in his makeup chair. It was Kim Kardashian. And the rest was history.
On his favourite Dubai MUA’s
We were *dying* to know what Mario thinks of Dubai’s resident celebrity makeup artist. Yes, we all love Hindash, stan his lewks, and dream of the day he does our own beat. Turns out, Mario is a fan too. Not just a fan, but also a friend. He shared with us that he’s been “friends with Hindash for a long time and started following him on the ‘Gram back in the day when Hindash would post his sketches on his feed.” And Beautopsy? Mario loves it. He told us that he thinks the palette is “incredible.”
On what he’d buy from his own line
What’s one of the hardest questions you can ask Mario? Turns out, it’s to pick just one product from his makeup line that he’d suggest purchasing. What we *actually* asked was, “if someone was tight on Dirhams and could only afford one item from Makeup by Mario, what would he suggest buying?” Part two, “what affordable brand or products do you suggest we get from Boots to compliment the Makeup By Mario product?”.
“Ahhh,” Mario said, “this is tricky.” After pondering for about five seconds, Mario tells us if we could only buy one thing, go for an Ultra Suede Lipstick. They’re his latest release and he worked hard developing and perfecting both the formula and the shades.
His preferred drug store brand? He says, “you can’t go wrong with L’Oreal.”
This is when we can buy Makeup By Mario in Dubai
If shipping overseas isn’t your thing and you’re counting down the days until Mario’s cosmetic line, Makeup By Mario is available in the GCC, you’re in luck. Mario told us that “in 2022 his brand will be available in the region.” The best part? He’ll be back when it launches.
Between his Soft Sculpt Shade Sticks, Master Eyeshadow Palettes, Master Hold Brow Gel, Soft Pop Powder Blushes and Sticks, and more, Mario has given us the gift of bringing his artistry and passion in our very homes and onto our faces. We’re impressed and motivated by his love of his craft and the beauty he bestows upon us all.